Alphonso Davies ruled out of Canada's World Cup opener against Bosnia with hamstring injury

Alphonso Davies will play no part in Canada’s World Cup 2026 opener against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday, with coach Jesse Marsch confirming the Bayern Munich wing-back remains sidelined by the hamstring injury that has troubled him since May.

Davies strained his right hamstring during Bayern’s Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain and has been working with a private physiotherapist in a bid to recover in time for the tournament. Marsch said the captain is also likely to miss Canada’s second group game, though he expressed hope that Davies could be available for the third fixture against Switzerland on 24 June in Vancouver.

“We’re going to have to manage the group phase and get out,” Marsch told CBC. “I think [Davies] can be ready for sure once we get out of the group. And I think if we’re smart, and good, and careful, that he can be ready for the third match in the group as well.”

The absence of their captain places additional responsibility on Juventus striker Jonathan David, Canada’s all-time leading scorer with 39 international goals. David, who joined Juventus from Lille last summer, scored eight goals in his debut Serie A season and is widely regarded alongside Davies as one of the team’s two most influential players.

Canada’s squad does contain further quality beyond those two. Villarreal midfielder Tajon Buchanan and Celtic defender Alistair Johnston are among the more experienced names available to Marsch as the hosts look to navigate a group that also includes Qatar and Switzerland.

Bosnian and Herzegovina, Canada’s first opponents, earned their place at the tournament by eliminating Italy in the qualifying play-offs, making Friday’s curtain-raiser a stern test even before the Davies news. Canada face Qatar on 18 June before completing their group stage against Switzerland on 24 June.